Cyberwar Pownage on the Georgian-Russian Front

*Oh yeah, I’m sure these Georgian cyberwarriors never behave in any way that resembles “criminals”– just like this obscure Russian malware cyberspy is an upstanding global citizen.

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*I can’t wait for these guys to get their own homemade drone escadrille.

–Georgian CERT Tricks Alleged Hacker
(October 30 & 31, 2012)
The country of Georgia’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT)
recently turned the tables on an alleged Russian hacker. The individual
targeted in the scheme allegedly infected computers in Georgia and the
US with malware designed to steal sensitive documents. The Georgian CERT
placed a document named “Georgian-NATO Agreement” on one of its PCs. The
alleged hacker took the file and opened it, which caused his computer
to become infected with malware that gave the Georgian CERT control of
his machine. The Georgian CERT then took pictures of the suspect with
the PC’s webcam.
http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/attacks-breaches/240012665/say-cheese-georgian-nation-makes-offense-its-defense.html
http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/10/hacker-allegedly-behind-advanced-espionage-campaign-caught-on-film/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2225743/Alleged-hacker-caught-camera-cyber-security-experts-infect-HIS-OWN-virus.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
http://www.zdnet.com/georgia-turns-the-tables-on-russian-hacker-7000006611/
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9233060/Irked_by_cyberspying_Georgia_outs_Russia_based_hacker_with_photos?taxonomyId=82
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/10/31/georgia_russia_counter_intelligence/
[Editor’s Note (Honan): Many in the industry are hailing this move by
the Georgian CERT as an example of hacking back and taking on the bad
guys at their own game. Before contemplating a similar action remember
that unlike the criminals organisations are bound by legal, regulatory
and ethical rules that criminals do not have to adhere to.]

(((via SANS, who does a lot of good work in this area for those of us who can scarcely bare to look.)

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